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Efforts to Draft David Mark as PDP Chairman Lose Momentum
Efforts to Draft David Mark as PDP Chairman Lose Momentum
By Tobouke JEMINE
The plot to draft former Senate President David Mark into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship race is losing steam, according to party sources. Some state governors elected on the PDP platform are leading the move to replace acting national chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum with a substantive chair. Mark, a retired brigadier general from Benue State, is one of the individuals being considered for the position.
Other contenders for the chairmanship include Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, and Engineer Conrad Utaan. Utaan emphasizes that resolving the chairmanship issue is crucial to addressing the lingering crisis within the PDP, and that returning the position to the North-Central region is the only viable solution.
Mark’s supporters promote him as a consensus candidate who can unite the party’s factions and restore its fortunes. They highlight his shared state and geo-political zone with former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, whose tenure is set to expire in December 2025.
However, party sources reveal that the campaign is not gaining traction among party members, with some citing Mark’s age (76) as a concern, given the demands of the office, including extensive travel. The ongoing litigation over party leadership also appears to be deterring Mark.
Damagum’s position is currently protected by a Federal High Court order, which restrains the PDP’s national executive committee and board of trustees from removing him until the party’s convention in December 2025.
The PDP is grappling with internal divisions, with factions loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike vying for control. Atiku’s allies seek Damagum’s removal, perceiving him as a threat to Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid.
Engineer Abdulraheem Ilyasu Garba, President of PDP Frontliners, acknowledges that resolving differences among members is crucial ahead of the 2027 elections. He notes that Damagum’s position is secure for now, requiring a collective decision from stakeholders to remove him.
By: Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for speaking against the corrupt activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The media practitioners while intensifying the call for a thorough investigation into the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to borrow a leaf from the ICPC to expose suspected corrupt activities such as contract scams, unauthorized spending, ghost project-Hope, unrealistic youth intensive programs, failure to pay/third-party payment of contractors, execution of substandard contracts, abandoned contracts and other failed projects of the commission to recover looted funds.
The call was made in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Forum, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Warri Delta State on Monday.
While reacting to the warning by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences to NDDC’s staff against engaging in corrupt practices, the Forum said EFCC should focus on its mandate of being a watchdog to all institutions and organizations in the country, rather than being a friend with a cat.
Stating further, the Publishers’ said the recent statement of the EFCC applauding Dr Ogbuku’s led administration was unhealthy and suspicious, noting that Niger Delta region may lose confidence in EFCC ability and capacity to fight crime in the country if this political praise-singing of trade by barter continues.
The forum cautioned EFCC to refrain from dining with people who were responsible for the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region, adding that EFCC should not make itself a depart of the NDDC, but should stand with impoverished people of Niger Delta to checkmate the commission’s corrupt activities.
“We express our deep concerns over the use of “reckless and fraudulent schemes” employed by the current NDDC leadership to siphon resources intended for the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region.
The statement also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to expose corruption in NDDC just as ICPC during their quarterly anti-corruption sensitization workshop for NDDC staff warned that “anybody caught in corrupt act would face the full wrath of the law”.
“The partnership between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raises serious questions about the integrity of efforts to combat corruption within the agency.
“The EFCC must prioritize its mandate, to prevent and prosecute corrupt Individuals, rather than engaging in partnerships that may inadvertently shield corrupt officials from scrutiny.
“The EFCC should re-evaluate its approach, and show commitment to its core mission of safeguarding public funds, ensuring that it does not become complicit in the very corruption it was established to combat -the Forum emphasised.
By: Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) has called on the Federal Government to investigate the activities of Dr. Ogbuku and call the NDDC Management to order, given the series of activities signalling gross incompetence and wastage of the people’s resources on frivolous projects and programmes to the abandonment of key infrastructural projects. A case the body seriously points to is the abandonment of Udo-Ofinama road project.
The Udo–Ofunama Road in Egbema Kingdom, Edo State, stands today as one of the most glaring examples of uncompleted projects under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Conceived as a vital link road to connect communities, boost trade, and ease transportation, the project has suffered repeated delays and neglect despite its importance.
For years, promises have been made, contracts have been awarded, and funds have reportedly been allocated. Yet, the road remains undone—leaving the people of Udo, Ofunama, and neighboring communities stranded in poor access and underdevelopment.
This situation is not isolated. Across the Niger Delta, the NDDC is saddled with a history of abandoned and delayed projects. Reports show:
Over 18,000 projects have been initiated since 2002.
Of these, more than 7,000 have been completed, but thousands remain uncompleted or abandoned. The 7,000 completed are mostly inconsequential and ghost projects like grass cutting, water hycent removal, etcetera.
The Udo–Ofunama Road is one of such projects where neglect has deepened frustration among host communities.
The delay has now triggered action. The youth of Egbema Kingdom have declared a peaceful protest on August 25, 2025, to demand answers and accountability from the NDDC and government authorities. Their message is simple: enough of the promises, the road must be completed.
The Udo–Ofunama Road is more than just an infrastructure project—it represents hope, connectivity, and development for a people long denied the dividends of the resources taken from their land. Every delay only widens the gap of distrust between the Commission and the very people it was created to serve.
The question remains: why the delay, and when will the people of Egbema Kingdom finally see the completion of the Udo–Ofunama Road?
#nddc25 NDDC #Tinubu #edostate
Photo credit: Delta Event Tv
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory